bootsie_cat wrote:
Thanks for your attention on this.
I have an itch for a gravel bike but I feel like many of the new offerings are overkill.
A couple points on that, all our bikes are gravel bikes. Gravel is where you ride, not what you ride.
We have race series bikes like our F1 PR that is suitable for events like the World Tour cobbled classics as well as races like Battenkill, Cone-Azalia, and any other road races ridden under UCI rules or where a road race bike is preferred.
We have bikes like our Z and Z disc with a more endurance focused geo with compliance built into the frame design and added standover height to offset a 28mm tire selection vs. a tradtional 23mm tread.
We have our new V-series bikes with upright riding positions and disc brakes to provide a more heads-up posture, 35mm+ tire clearance, and braze ons for a compliment of any possible accessory fitting.
We have our CX bikes that have traditionally be the mixed surface choice for consumers.
Like with road riding, gravel doesn't require a special bike, it requires that you buy the bike that suits your preferred riding method, fit and intended utility.
The industry loves to load up bike shops and consumers with new categories by creating an ever widening product range. With 26" and 29" MTB sales stabilizing the 650B was well timed to reinvigorate sales and with the advent of road disc brakes it seems that cyclo-cross and pure road bikes needed a sibling to spur sales thus the #gravel market was invented.
More on your geo question when I've got the drawings and time to check on 'em.
-SD
https://www.kickstarter.com/...bike-for-the-new-era